Panhandle Pulse
“Real issues. Real people. No filters.”
Welcome to Panhandle Pulse — the podcast that gives North Florida a voice.
Hosted by Chuck Asbury, Panhandle Pulse dives into the real challenges and real conversations shaping our communities. From small business owners, farmers to veterans, healthcare workers, and defense professionals, we talk with the people who keep our region moving.
Every week, we bring you candid interviews, frontline stories, and unfiltered insight on the issues that matter most — including agriculture, national defense, healthcare access, deregulation, and the fight to keep rural America strong.
Episodes
20 episodes
Russell Van Brocklen on Dyslexia Breakthroughs, Brain Science & Helping Students
In this powerful episode of Panhandle Pulse, host Chuck Asbury sits down with “The Dyslexia Professor” Russell Van Brocklen to unpack the real science behind dyslexia and why traditional school systems are failing bright students. From his own ...
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55:37
Anesthesia, Healthcare & Music in the Florida Panhandle | Corey Fernandez
In this episode of PanHandle Pulse, host Chuck Asbury sits down with local anesthetist Corey Fernandez of Destin Surgical Center.Corey shares his journey from growing up in Freeport to training at Florida State, the University of Florida...
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32:55
From Mate to Millionaire: Kevin O’Neill on Building Destiny Water Adventures & Scaling Blue-Collar Businesses on the Emerald Coast
Kevin O’Neill, Master Captain and owner of Destiny Water Adventures, joins Panhandle Pulse with host Chuck Asbury, to share his incredible journey from a laid-off Detroit plumber to one of the Emerald Coast’s most successful water...
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54:16
Local Stories, History & Living on Florida’s Panhandle | Judson Stone
In this episode, host Chuck Asbury sits down with author and speaker Judson Stone to discuss his journey from Maine to Florida, his passion for history and writing, and the importance of preserving family stories. Judson reflects on his work as...
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43:07
Protecting Small Businesses from Fraud with Forensic Accounting Expert | Kelly Todd Panhandle Pulse
On this episode of Panhandle Pulse, host Chuck Asbury sits down with Kelly Todd, President of Forensic Strategy Solutions, to discuss real-world fraud risks facing small businesses. From forensic accounting insights to practical fraud ...
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40:22
Faith, Politics, and Gen Z Leadership with Owen Girard on Panhandle Pulse
In this episode of Panhandle Pulse, host Chuck Asbury sits down with Owen Girard, Florida Panhandle Field Representative for Turning Point USA, to discuss faith, politics, and the future of Gen Z leadership in Northw...
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46:14
Kidney Health in the Florida Panhandle: Dr. Marc McKinley | Panhandle Pulse
In this episode of Panhandle Pulse, host Chuck Asbury sits down with Dr. Marc McKinley, a nephrologist (kidney doctor)serving Panama City and Panama City Beach, Florida. Dr. McKinley shares his journey from private practice in Cleveland, Ohio t...
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47:47
Humanizing AI: Digital Twins, Emotional Intelligence | Stephanie Sylvestre
In this episode of Pan Handle Pulse, host Chuck Asbury sits down with Stephanie Sylvestre, co-founder and Chief Visionary Officer of Avatar Buddy, for a deep and honest conversation about the human side of artificial intelligence.<...
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43:00
How Panhandle Weather Is Changing Forecasting in Northwest Florida | Chris Smith on Panhandle Pulse
Chief Meteorologist Chris Smith, founder of PanhandleWeather.com, joins Panhandle Pulse to discuss the future of weather forecasting in Northwest Florida. Chris shares his journey from local TV news to launching an independent, digital...
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50:27
Why Storytelling Beats Technology Every Time | Cinematographer Ed Gutentag
In this episode of Panhandle Pulse, host Chuck Asbury sits down with Ed Gutentag, a veteran Hollywood cinematographer and storyteller now based in Panama City, Florida.Ed shares an incredible journey spanning decades in film, from workin...
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1:14:34
Florida Business Law Explained: Contracts, LLCs, AI, and Legal Tips for Small Businesses | Panhandle Pulse
In this episode of Panhandle Pulse, host Chuck Asbury sits down with Matthew Fornaro, a seasoned Florida business law attorney with over 20 years of experience helping entrepreneurs, startups, and small to mid-sized busines...
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33:44
Ending Childhood Bed Poverty in the Panhandle: A Bed 4 Me Foundation w/ Diane Freeman
In this episode of Panhandle Pulse, host Chuck Asbury sits down with Diane Freeman, Executive Director of A Bed 4 Me Foundation—a nonprofit providing beds, bedding, and hope to children across Okaloosa and Walton ...
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36:30
Building a Better Panhandle: How Pink’s Window Services Is Redefining Blue-Collar Business on the Emerald Coast
In this episode of The Panhandle Pulse, host Chuck Asbury sits down with Blaine Watts, owner of Pink’s Window Services – Emerald Coast, to explore his journey from a 30-year tech career with companies like Cisco
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42:13
Discovering Purpose & Leadership with the Seed Sower Coach | Kirk McCarley
In this inspiring episode of Panhandle Pulse, host Chuck Asbury sits down with leadership and life coach Kirk McCarley, widely known as The Seed Sower Coach in Florida’s Panhandle. With a rich background in HR, lea...
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36:53
Fighting Human Trafficking in Florida’s Panhandle: The Ruth Lake Farm Story | Jared Cartee
In this powerful episode of The Panhandle Pulse, Chuck Asbury sits down with Jared Cartee, a leading advocate in the fight against human trafficking and the voice behind Safe in the Panhandle and Ruth Lake Farm.<...
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38:41
Faith, Freedom & Young Republicans in Walton County | Gordon Porter
In this episode, Chuck sits down with Walton County conservative leader Gordon Porter for a wide–ranging conversation on faith, politics, and raising up the next generation of leaders in the Florida Panhandle. Gordon shares his deep roots in lo...
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45:21
Dr. George “Dr. Dryp” Dockendorf on Building Aqua Vitae IV Bar & the Future of Healthcare in Florida’s Panhandle | Panhandle Pulse Podcast
In this episode of Panhandle Pulse, host Chuck Asbury sits down with Dr. George Dockendorf, better known around Miramar Beach as “Dr. Dryp.” A former Air Force flight surgeon, emergency room physician, and now entr...
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43:56
Florida Recall Movement: Holding County Officials Accountable | Panhandle Pulse with Chance Johnmeyer
In this episode of The Panhandle Pulse, host Chuck Asbury sits down with Chance Johnmeyer, founder of Recall Florida, to discuss how citizens across the state are pushing to restore accountability in local govern...
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30:52
Keith Gross: Attorney & Conservative Activist
In this episode, Keith Gross shares his journey from entrepreneur to 2024 Republican primary candidate for U.S. Senate in Florida. Drawing inspiration from Donald Trump’s outsider mentality, Gross discusses why he believes it's time to challeng...
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40:14
Choona Clothing: Kurt Tobias from the corporate world to founder
In this conversation, Kurt Tobias shares his journey from the corporate world to founding Choona Clothing, a brand that embodies the spirit of the Florida Panhandle. He discusses the challenges of starting a clothing line, including manufacturi...
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39:06